Man Accused Of Rape In Domestic Abuse Shelter

Don Jorgensen reports:

Sioux Falls, SD

Domestic abuse shelters are supposed to protect victims. But a Sioux Falls man is accused of breaking into one and raping his ex-girlfriend. According to police, it all happened in front of the victim's child.

The victim in this case was staying at a domestic abuse shelter in Sioux Falls called "My Sister Friend's House."

"Her ex-boyfriend was able to enter the room where she was staying at, apparently there was an unlocked window," Sioux Falls Police public information officer Sam Clemens said.

The ex-boyfriend was identified as 47-year-old Heath Big Eagle. Police say sometime between 3 and 4 Monday morning, Big Eagle crawled through that window and attacked his ex-girlfriend.

"He got inside there and ended up raping her while the child was sleeping in the room," Clemens said.